Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) President Qazi Hussain Ahmed expressed the hope on Thursday the government will not create any hurdle in the way of its November 28 rally, saying otherwise the MMA may go for 'Jail Bharo' option. "Yes, we can resort to offer mass arrests, and even announce a march on Islamabad, if we were denied of our democratic right to hold a peaceful public rally at Nishtar Park in Karachi", said Qazi while talking to Business Recorder here on Thursday.
The MMA chief, however, said the upcoming Supreme Council meeting to be held in Karachi on November 24, adding the rally has been organised primarily to pay tribute to late MMA leader Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani.
He warned that the rulers are bound to be losers whether or not they permit holding of the rally in the port city, adding he smelt the government's mala fide intention, following the filing of an application by the ruling PML last week to hold a public meeting at the same venue on the same day.
To a question, Qazi said the MMA expected to formally invite the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy to be part of the public meeting, which will lay foundation for a country-wide movement against President General Pervez Musharraf.
He said the MMA has announced to hold anti-Musharraf rallies across the country for 'his reneging on the commitment' to the nation as well as the MMA for doffing his uniform by December 31.
Though President Musharraf has not formally announced not to fulfil the commitment, however, the recent passage of the 'dual office bill' and his interview to a foreign television channel to continue holding both slots beyond 2004 suggest he wants to carry on, said Qazi.
The MMA, which held 'million marches' (with the participation of hundreds and thousands of people) before the US-led alliance had invaded Iraq, enjoys ability to mobilise street power, the government, however, has played it down, saying the alliance of religious parties sans the powers that be support, is not in a position to hold a big rally.
With the PPPP top leaders' meeting on Friday, ARD meeting on Saturday, and the MMA council meeting on Wednesday, political temperature is likely to shoot up in the coming days and possible summoning of the Senate or National Assembly session would further add to it, Qazi added.